August 23, 2026 08:32 am (IST)
Follow us:
PM, VP greet nation on Janmashtami
New Delhi, Aug 17 (IBNS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday greeted the nation on the occasion of Janmashtami, which marks Lord Krishna's birthday.
"Greetings on Janmashtami! May Lord Krishna bless our lives with peace, prosperity and happiness," the Prime Minister said in his message.
Vice President M. Hamid Ansari also conveyed his warm greetings and good wishes to the citizens of the country on the joyous occasion.
In his message, he has said that Lord Krishna’s message of performing our duties with sincerity and devotion, without attachment to the results of our actions, remains a pertinent principle for salvation of humanity.
“I convey my warm greetings and good wishes to the citizens of our country on the joyous occasion of Janmashtami, marking the birthday of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna’s message of performing our duties with sincerity and devotion, without attachment to the results of our actions, remains a pertinent principle for salvation of humanity," he said.
"On this auspicious day, let us resolve to rededicate ourselves to the teachings of Lord Krishna in order to build a peaceful, enlightened and just society," Ansari said.
Mathura along with the whole nation will observe 'Janmashtami' for two days which commences on Sunday and will be continued till Monday morning.
Thousands of devotees are flocking to Mathura for offering prayers.
Heavy security arrangements are put up in the temples premises in Mathura to maintain a strict vigil.
Krishna Janmashtami is observed on the 'Ashtami tithi', the eighth day of the dark half or Krishna Paksha of the month of Bhadrapada in the Hindu calendar.
The festival is generally celebrated between mid-Aug to mid-Sep in the Gregorian calendar. This year the Janmashtami tithi (timing) begins on 5.55 pm on Sunday7 and ends on 6.06 am on Monday.
In areas like Mathura and Vrindavan the dramatic enactments of the life of Krishna are performed. This life cycle of Krishna is known as 'Rasa lila'.
Known for his love for 'dahi' (curd), the 'dahi handi' event is popularly followed in Indian state of Maharashtra.
Teams of young men form human pyramid to reach the pot of butter that is hung high up and then break it into pieces. Although reports of injury are quite common the spirit of the festival makes people commit this ritual quite happily.
This tradition, also known as 'uriadi', is a major event in Tamil Nadu on 'Gokulashtami'.
In Kolkata the festival of 'Janmashtami' is celebrated with great fun and mirth.
In households the deity is worshiped by the family members and special bhog (food) which contains payesh (a special porridge made out of milk and rice) ,'malpoa' and 'tal bora' (sweets) is offered to the god.
In the temples special 'kirtan' (prayer) is performed every year on this date.
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Latest Headlines
Amit Shah’s big Darjeeling move: Centre promises ‘Permanent Political Solution’ for West Bengal hills
Sat, Aug 22 2026
From promise to protest: Why Annapurna Bhandar has become a test for BJP govt in Bengal
Sat, Aug 22 2026
‘Modi Chalisa’ at Press Club of India sparks row: PCI distances itself from PM cutout worship event
Sat, Aug 22 2026
iPhone EMI pressure leads to tragedy: Indian teenager, parents die after falling from Maharashtra hill
Sat, Aug 22 2026
One BJP, two voices: Bengal Minister Swapan Dasgupta’s Jadavpur remark clashes with ‘surgical strike’ call
Sat, Aug 22 2026
Dalit woman 'gangrape-murder' shocker in Karnataka: 4 arrested after body found in well
Sat, Aug 22 2026
Cockroaches, flies, chemicals near food: Mumbai FDA suspends licences of top eateries, clubs
Fri, Aug 21 2026
India dismisses Pakistan's 'frustration' over US envoy's J&K remark
Fri, Aug 21 2026